Limerick County Council grants permission for 7.2-hectare solar farm at Askeaton, Co. Limerick

In context

It is one of 21 solar farm applications Limerick County Council has received in the past twelve months, against 339 nationally. Of the 573 such applications decided by councils in the past three years, 92% were granted.

What happens next

The applicant, or anyone who made a submission on the application, can appeal the decision to An Coimisiún Pleanála within four weeks of 25 August 2026. If no appeal is lodged, the council’s decision stands and a final grant issues. The applicant sought a 10-year permission, which sets how long they have to start the development.

The development description, as lodged

Verbatim from the Limerick County Council register. This is the source for every figure in the story above.

a 10-year planning permission for the proposed Askeaton Wastewater Treatment Plant (WwTP) Upgrade Project located in the townlands of Coolrahnee, Cloonreask, Askeaton and Moig South, County Limerick. The proposed development consists of the following works: i) Construction of a new WwTP including tanks, buildings and workshop, an ESB substation, pumping stations, reed beds, and associated outfall to the River Deel, roof and ground mounted solar photovoltaic panels, a new permanent site entrance on the L1201 local road to provide access to the WwTP with a cattle underpass including storage tank under the access road, removal of existing trees and vegetation at the proposed entrance to the WwTP and replanting of trees, and erection of fencing along the site boundary, in the townland of Moig South; ii) Construction of a new Wastewater Pumping Station (WwPS) at Abbey View and associated Storm Water Storage Tank with a Dual Function Overflow (i.e., an overflow which can function as a Storm Water Overflow or Emergency Overflow depending on the event), an odour control unit (with a manifold in the Storm Water Storage tank), a platform for a mobile generator and an internal washdown system for the Storm Water Storage Tank complete with a water storage and booster set, decommissioning and demolition of the existing Abbey View WwPS, decommissioning of the rising main to the existing Abbey View WwPS, and public realm and landscaping works, in the townland of Cloonreask; iii) Construction of a new outfall headwall (at the west bank of River Deel) to connect the overflow pipeline from the new Abbey View WwPS, in the townland of Cloonreask; iv) Decommissioning of the existing rising main from the existing Abbey View WwPS to the existing WwTP, and construction of a new rising main from the new Abbey View WwPS to the new WwTP, in the townland of Moig South; v) Network upsizing works (larger pipelines and attendant works) in the townlands of Cloonreask, Askeaton and Moig South; vi) Decommissioning and demolition of the small package treatment plant at Lismakeera, in the townland of Askeaton, with connecting pipework to the new Abbey View WwPS; vii) Decommissioning and demolition of the existing Askeaton WwTP and decommissioning of the associated outfall to the River Deel, in the townland of Coolrahnee; and vii) All related works and ancillary development including: Mechanical and electrical service A Natura Impact Statement will be submitted with the planning application